The next morning, Airi left for school.
She walked as usual, and when she arrived, she immediately entered the classroom and took her seat.
Not long after, the other students arrived with their parents. Nanao also came with her father and mother.
"Hi, Airi," Nanao greeted.
"Hi," Airi replied briefly.
"You're here early," Nanao said.
"I wanted to arrive early," Airi replied.
"Is this your friend?" Nanao's mother asked.
"Yeah, Mom. Let me introduce you. This is Airi," Nanao said.
"Oh... Airi, is she the girl you told us about yesterday?" her mother asked curiously.
"Shh! Mom, keep your voice down! She's right here!" Nanao quickly whispered.
"Told you about me?" Airi asked in confusion.
"Nanao told us yesterday that she likes you. She said she wanted to confess her feelings to you," Nanao's father revealed.
Airi's face turned red.
"Dad, Mom, don't say things like that! You're embarrassing me!" Nanao protested.
"There's nothing wrong with liking someone. Keeping your feelings bottled up can hurt even more, so you should just tell them how you feel," her father said.
"Oh my gosh..." Nanao muttered.
"By the way, where are your parents?" Nanao asked Airi.
"Uh... they aren't coming," Airi replied.
"Ah, I understand. Sometimes parents can't leave work," Nanao said.
Not long after, the principal entered Class 2-C.
"Good morning, parents and students," the principal greeted.
"Good morning," everyone replied.
"As your children have already told you, today we'll be discussing the students' upcoming study trip. Airi..." the principal said, glancing toward her.
"Uh... yes, Sir? What is it?" Airi asked.
"Where are your parents?" the principal asked.
"They aren't coming..." Airi answered.
People began whispering behind her, wondering why her parents weren't there.
Airi gave a faint smile.
"My parents are dead," she said.
Everyone stared at her in shock.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Airi asked.
Silence filled the room.
The meeting eventually ended, and all the students were allowed to go home.
Just as Airi was about to leave, Nanao's father, mother, and Nanao stood in front of her.
"Wait a moment, dear," Nanao's father said.
Airi turned around and pointed at herself.
"Me?"
"Yes, you," he replied.
"What's wrong, Uncle?" Airi asked.
"Is it true that your parents have passed away?" Nanao's father asked.
"Yes... And?" Airi replied.
"Then who do you live with?" Nanao's mother asked worriedly.
"By myself," Airi answered.
"Well... since your parents are no longer with you..." Nanao's father began.
"Yes?" Airi asked.
"I'd like to adopt you. Would you be willing to become my daughter?" he asked.
Airi was shocked.
"What? But why?"
"We don't want you to be alone anymore. So we'd like to adopt you and have you become part of our family. You'd also become Nanao's sister," Nanao's father explained.
"Um... I'll think about it first," Airi replied.
"Take your time and think carefully," he said.
"Okay."
Nanao's family then left.
Airi stood there alone and muttered to herself,
"What should I do?"
That night, Airi called her uncle.
"Hello, Uncle..." Airi said.
"Yes? What's wrong, Airi? It's pretty late," her uncle asked.
"Sorry for bothering you."
"It's okay. What happened?"
"There's someone who wants to adopt me," Airi said.
"What? And? Did you accept?" her uncle asked.
"Not yet. I'm still thinking about it."
"So what do you want to do?" her uncle asked.
"I want to say yes because I'm lonely living by myself... but I'm afraid you'll be angry with me for being selfish," Airi said.
"It's your choice. I would never hate you for it. In fact, I'd be happy that you have a family again," her uncle said sincerely.
"So... I'm allowed to choose?" Airi asked.
"Yes. It's your choice. Besides, you haven't had your parents' love for a long time," her uncle replied.
Airi began to cry.
"But..."
"Choose what you want," her uncle said.
"I'll accept," Airi said through her tears.
"Okay. I respect your decision," her uncle replied.
"Thank you..."
---
The next morning, Airi went to school.
When she arrived in the classroom, she saw Nanao already sitting in her seat.
"Ahh, Airi! Good morning!" Nanao greeted.
"Morning," Airi replied.
"So? What's your answer?" Nanao asked.
"I've thought about it carefully. I'll accept. But I'm afraid I'll be a burden to your family," Airi said.
"You won't be a burden at all. They're actually waiting for your answer," Nanao replied.
"Are they really that happy about it?" Airi asked.
"They're even excited to welcome you..." Nanao said.
"Oh, by the way, when were you born?" Nanao asked.
"October 27, 2009. Why?"
Nanao suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"Why are you laughing?" Airi asked.
"That means you have to call me 'big brother,'" Nanao said.
"Big brother? When were you born?" Airi asked.
"April 30, 2009. So yeah, you have to call me Big Brother."
"Big Brother? That feels weird," Airi said.
"What do you mean, weird?" Nanao asked.
"I want to call you 'older sibling' instead."
"That's usually used for girls, you know," Nanao said.
"Not necessarily. You can use it for guys too," Airi argued.
"Nope. I want you to call me Big Brother. End of story."
"Fine."
"Try it first," Nanao said.
"Try what?" Airi asked.
"Try calling me Big Brother. Or just 'Bro' or something."
"Big Brother?"
"Yes, my little sister?" Nanao replied with a smile.
"What the heck..." Airi muttered awkwardly.
For the first time, Nanao thought to herself,
This is the first time I've had a little sister this cute...
"The first time? Do you have a biological younger sister?" Airi asked.
"I do, but she's six years old."
"Wow, she must still be adorable..." Airi said happily.
"Wait. You like little kids?" Nanao asked.
"I love them. They're so cute," Airi replied.
Nanao imagined her stubborn little sister.
Where exactly is the cute part...?
---
Hana, Luna, and Rina approached Airi's desk.
Hana crossed her arms and looked at Airi with a mocking smile.
"So..." Hana said slowly. "It's true, isn't it? You're an orphan?"
Airi was startled for a moment.
"Uh... yeah," she answered hesitantly.
Hana chuckled.
"How pathetic. You don't have anyone to stand up for you, do you?"
Luna laughed.
"Maybe your family died because of you," she said with a loud laugh.
Rina added sarcastically,
"I feel sorry for your parents. They had to have a stupid kid like you."
Airi fell silent.
Her gaze dropped toward the desk.
Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Suddenly, a small laugh could be heard.
"Hahaha..."
Nanao turned toward them with a faint smile.
"Then?"
Everyone's attention turned toward her.
"If Airi is so stupid," Nanao continued calmly, "why are you always making her do your assignments?"
Hana raised an eyebrow.
"Whoa, whoa. Her boyfriend's getting angry."
Luna grinned.
"We make her do our assignments so she can learn. Maybe it'll make her a little less stupid."
Rina laughed mockingly.
"Besides, she's practically invisible around here anyway."
Airi remained silent.
Her chest felt tight.
Nanao smiled faintly.
"Now I understand..."
Rina narrowed her eyes.
"Understand what?"
"Why Airi is different from you three," Nanao replied casually.
Rina scoffed.
"What do you mean?"
Nanao glanced at Airi for a moment before looking back at them.
"Airi is like a diamond," Nanao said flatly, "while you're nothing more than goat droppings."
"How dare you!" Rina snapped angrily.
"Let me explain," Nanao continued without changing her expression. "A diamond stands out because it shines, even when it's surrounded by dirt."
Hana clenched her fists.
"Are you insulting us?"
"Just stating facts," Nanao replied casually. "Besides, Airi is still way prettier than all of you."
Luna stepped forward.
"You've got some nerve talking to us like that."
Rina pointed at Nanao.
"I'm going to tell my dad!"
Nanao gave her a crooked smile.
"Who's your dad, anyway?"
"My dad is a police officer," Rina said proudly.
"Go ahead," Nanao replied coldly. "Besides, police officers aren't exactly that useful these days."
Rina scoffed before pointing at Airi.
"At least I still have a father," she said sharply. "Unlike her."
Airi fell silent again.
Those words hurt more than anything she had heard before.
Nanao turned toward Rina.
"So what?"
"At least I have something she doesn't," Rina said arrogantly.
Nanao smiled slightly.
"Then does your father have a personality as terrible as yours?"
Rina froze.
"Uh..."
"If he doesn't," Nanao continued, "then you're unknowingly insulting your own father too."
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
At that exact moment, the classroom door opened.
The teacher entered the room.
Hana, Luna, and Rina immediately scattered and returned to their seats as if nothing had happened.
Airi was still looking down.
Nanao glanced at her quietly without saying a word.